🎲 Compare GenAI Tools 

Module 1: What is GenAI? | ⏰ 30–40 minutes

Overview 

Students select two GenAI platforms, design their own test questions, compare the outputs side by side, and reflect on what the differences reveal about how each platform works. Builds critical thinking about GenAI tools as distinct systems with different strengths and limitations.

Learning Objectives 

By the end of this activity, students will be able to:

  • Design questions that meaningfully test GenAI platform capabilities
  • Compare outputs across at least two GenAI platforms
  • Identify meaningful similarities and differences between platform responses
  • Draw conclusions about platform strengths, limitations, and appropriate use cases

Materials Needed

Instructions

  1. Choose two of the following free GenAI platforms: ChatGPT, Claude, CoPilot, Gemini, Perplexity
  2. Design 2 questions you want each platform to answer. Think carefully about what would reveal meaningful differences between the platforms.
  3. Ask both platforms your questions and record the answers.
  4. Complete the comparison worksheet using the link above.

Students may work independently or in groups of 2–3.

Debrief Questions

  • What differences did you notice between the two platforms?
  • Did one platform perform noticeably better on certain types of questions?
  • Were there moments where both platforms gave similar — or identical — answers? What might explain that?
  • What surprised you most about the comparison?
  • Based on this experiment, when might you choose one platform over another?

Instructor Notes

⚠️ You cannot use the Google Form directly. Click the link and make a copy to share with your class.The comparison worksheet is the primary documentation for this activity. Make sure students complete it before the class discussion. Students may work solo or in groups of 2–3; groups tend to generate richer discussion. This activity connects directly to the Recommended Resources for Module 1.